Since the launch of Hull 01 back in 1985, when more than 100 X-99s were sold based on the drawings alone, the qualities of the X-99 have enabled her to attract active and approved class organizations in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Germany, Holland, the UK, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. The International X-99 Class Association has worked hard since 1990 on establishing the boat as an internationally recognized, ISAF approved Class. This happened in 1997, and the official X-99 World Championships have since then included between 50 and 60 participants. The reason the X-99 has become so widely appreciated is that this superb performance 10m yacht contains all of the features which are most in demand. These are, among others, the fact that it is marketed and built by an internationally respected builder and sold and backed by an international and competent network of dealers. The most basic elements for cruising with a family include headroom, an inboard engine, six berths, a toilet, a galley, and a wardrobe. The X-99 has all of these. The introduction of the X-99 MkII (when a great many details were updated to the latest know-how while, of course, sticking to the class rules) included restyling and positioning of the waterlines and new aluminum-framed windows in the cabin trunks. Moreover, the deck layout and deck gear were upgraded to be identical to the winning X-99s which had double-operated permanent backstays on each side, Cunningham, outhaul and vang as well as enlarged stainless steel winches from Andersen.